Rajasthan has been the “heart-land” of India there are many glorious legends of sacrifice, virility, devotion and they glorified Indian history on one hand and fascinated audiences world over through differing aspects of cultural and performing arts. Although much of its literary treasure was destroyed and plundered during different invasions, some of the pricelessly valuable manuscripts have been salvaged and preserved. Intensive research, procurement, classification and editing has gone into making this significant heritage available for posterity and prospective scholars.
For the specific purpose of promoting research into the manuscripts available. Rajasthani Shodh Sansthan was established in 1955. Dr. Narain Singh Bhati (1955-1993) was assigned the task of its establishment and structuring it. He gave it the present status and led research from the front. As on date this institute has a national reputation and is a research centre (recognized by Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur for doctoral and post doctoral research in Rajasthani Language, Literature and Medieval History.
Since 1957, Government of Rajasthan has been matching 90% grant-in-aid available to this research institute of quality research. Rajasthan Sahitya Academy (Rajasthan Academy of Letters) and Government of India have been funding special programmes and projects of the institute.
Rajasthani Shodh Sansthan has a rich collection of 16734 rare manuscripts. Besides these several standard publications have attracted a number of scholars from various Indian Universities and overseas. They frequently Visit this institute over 600 of them have been benefited by the invaluable research material by now.
‘Parampara’ (‘the tradition’) is research journal quarterly published by Rajasthani Shodh Sansthan 147 special issues of the journal have been published by now. The institute has a collection of 16743 rare manuscripts, about 300 paintings of Rajput school of painting, speeches of learned speakers and research papers. The Institute guides and assists research scholars by providing catalogues of manuscripts, publications of the anthologies of the works of Rajasthani poets, compilation of Rajasthani Sabad Kosh by organising seminars and symposia on Rajasthani Literature and History. A brief description of sansthan’s activities follows for information.
